Drone racers had Fitchburg mill buzzing. Catch 'em on TV

A racer zips through the air during the Drone Racing League's Fitchburg competition.
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FITCHBURG -- A former paper mill on 431 Westminster St. joined national and international locations -- Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Munich and London -- as a venue in the Drone Racing League's 2017 season, according to a league spokesperson.

The race, which was not open to the public, took place on April 13. According to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber, the event will be broadcast in June on ESPN, ESPN 2, Sky Sports Mix and 7Sports.

The Fitchburg event, "Level 4: Foundry," was the last of four races in the United States and part of the six race competition, the 2017 Allianz World Championship.

Racing drone pilots fly quad-copter crafts using first-person view goggles that display a live image transmitted from the drone.

Drones create a light show as they race through an empty warehouse at 431 Westminster St. in Fitchburg on April 13. The event will be broadcast in June on ESPN, ESPN 2, Sky Sports Mix and 7Sports.
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Speeds reach up to 120 mph as 16 pilots navigate the drone through obstacle courses during the races.

The chamber connected with the Drone Racing League at a national sports marketing trade show last summer, according to Chamber Public Affairs Manager Patrick Lawlor.

Chamber President and CEO Roy Nascimento said the event not only brought producers and racers to the region, but will also introduce people around the world to the region.

"Securing the DRL (Drone Racing League) is significant for North Central Massachusetts," Nascimento said in a press release. "Not only will the region benefit from the direct economic impact of hosting the race, but this will also showcase North Central Massachusetts to national and global audiences as a great place to host or grow a business.

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Last year, 30 million broadcast viewers tuned into the league's races and its digital content received more than 43 million views, according to the press release.

Lawlor said producers and racers stayed for five or six days, totaling 400 cumulative hotel room nights in the region.

According to Nascimento, the agreement to bring the Drone Racing League to Fitchburg was for one year only and the mill used to host the event may be filled by the league's next season.

The paper mill is currently undergoing renovations by Elite Construction and Design, who declined to comment further on their plans for the building.

Ashley Ellefson, director of operations for the league, said in a press release the organization enjoyed working with the city.

"We looked around aggressively for a community to host our New England Race site," she said. "Fitchburg was the ideal location and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber and the City of Fitchburg were all amazing in support of our efforts."

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